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Making America's Best Idea Even Better
Lake Clark National Park & PreserveA winter sunrise over Twin Lakes.
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Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
Moose and Caribou
The Alaska race (Alces alces gigas) is the largest of all the moose.
Bull moose shed their antlers every winter.
 

Moose and caribou are the only members of the deer family in the Lake Clark area. Moose are found below treeline in transition areas between forest and tundra, between aquatic and terrestrial environments, and in areas that have been burned or disturbed. For more information about Alaskan moose, see the State of Alaska's wildlife notebook moose page.

The Mulchatna Caribou Herd numbers more than 100,000 animals. These caribou range through the foothill lakes and tundra plains of the western preserve. Herd size is down from an estimated 200,000 animals in 1999. More information on caribou can be found at the State of Alaska's wildlife notebook caribou page.
Antlers are covered with velvet while still growing - the velvet contains blood vessels that bring nutrients to the growing tissue.  

Did You Know?
Female caribou have antlers, but female moose do not. Male moose and all caribou shed their antlers in the late fall or early winter, and grow new antlers in the spring. Caribou and moose are the only two members of the deer family found in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve.

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Last Updated: July 24, 2006 at 22:37 EST